Desperate- Wanna Do this Right - Questions about Spouse/Visitor Visa

[grds303]

Hi,

My wife and I have lived in separate countries for two years now, since my work visa ran up, though she has come and stayed with me in the U.S. over summer breaks. We got married last may, we were concerned about me moving there before she was done with college, and her graduation is now in a couple months so we want to get visa together as soon as possible and hate having left it so long.

Main question right now is whether i can live up there with her on a visitor visa while waiting for the spousal visa to go through? Should i try to get up there on a visitor visa before sending application for spousal visa? Would it even be approved because we are married? I'm guessing just driving up there with a u-haul and my dog would probably not be a good idea?

Or is it really going to be another 6-10 month wait before we can live together again? Is there Any sort of visa while you are waiting for your spousal visa to go through? I'm from U.S. North Dakota, she is a born Canadian.

 

[amikety]

Definitely no U-Haul. You'll be denied entry. Are you American? If so, you don't need a visa to enter Canada.

You could enter Canada as a visitor with only visitor items (clothes, hairbrush, toothbrush, etc). You will probably be allowed to remain in Canada while you're waiting out the PR process. If your passport stamp doesn't have a date written in it, you can stay for 6 months. Then you're eligible to extend your stay.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/extend-stay.asp

You would need to leave your household items at home or in storage until you're allowed to land, then get them and bring them back into Canada to do your landing - to avoid duty.

 

[grds303]

Thank you so much for your prompt response!!! I've been reading through forum posts for past couple hours wondering why I didn't remember anything about visitor visas before and trying to stop my heart plummeting deeper and deeper.

I'm a u.s. citizen. I came up to canada years ago when I was looking for work with a car full of clothes, books, my computer and tv. Is it safe to say ill be ok to do same and it won't be an issue that I'm married? Thank you again so much for easin my fears.

 

[amikety]

If you are a visitor, you have to act like one. Showing up with a U-Haul will get you rejected. You can visit, not move.

Besides that, you'll be fine visiting in Canada while the PR is in process. Lots of us are doing it.

 

[blueangel371115]

If you are a visitor, you have to act like one. Showing up with a U-Haul will get you rejected. You can visit, not move.

Besides that, you'll be fine visiting in Canada while the PR is in process. Lots of us are doing it.

What would I say here, when they ask me at the border? (Sorry if this has been asked before) I will be 'visiting' my husband while my outland PR is in process (filing as soon as I get my name changed and new documents), while under a student permit in Ontario. This strengthens my ties to Canada, while I will have given up my job and don't own property in the US. The only ties I have are my family (parents,aunts/uncles and siblings) Should I explain all this something like I just did? I'll be in Canada (hopefully) before I recieve my study permit.

 

[amikety]

If you have the PR application in process, take proof of the application, like the receipt or AOR/Sponsor approval. Generally Americans with a PR application are allowed to 'visit' their spouses in Canada while the application is in process. As long as you're admissible in general, it shouldn't be an issue.

Make sure you are 'visiting' and not 'moving.' 'Moving' can fire the IO up and get you into the special backroom for a special interview.

Since you're 'visiting' you have to act like a visitor at the border. Visitors don't bring a U-Haul full of furniture on vacation.

 

[scylla]

Since you're 'visiting' you have to act like a visitor at the border. Visitors don't bring a U-Haul full of furniture on vacation.

Agreed. Don't bring your books. Don't bring your TV. Don't bring your dog. Visitors don't behave this way.

Sounds like you managed to cross with a car full of stuff a few years ago. Assume you got very lucky. I definitely wouldn't try this again.

 

[blueangel371115]

If you have the PR application in process, take proof of the application, like the receipt or AOR/Sponsor approval. Generally Americans with a PR application are allowed to 'visit' their spouses in Canada while the application is in process. As long as you're admissible in general, it shouldn't be an issue.

Make sure you are 'visiting' and not 'moving.' 'Moving' can fire the IO up and get you into the special backroom for a special interview.

Since you're 'visiting' you have to act like a visitor at the border. Visitors don't bring a U-Haul full of furniture on vacation.

Luckily for me, our furniture is already IN Canada ( my fiance has just about everything). The 'visiting' declaration is easy, as I have entered and left Canada many times. I could just bring both my AOR/sponsor approval or the reciept AND my student permit or at least a letter from school. I am worried though, as I'm going through Ottawa and files aren't moving quickly after Buffalo ( things my be different by December, fingers crossed). Could I have an AOR yet? I at least get the reciept right off, right? Sorry for all the questions here. I am still new to all this. Not a dunce, honest? My fiance just is a tad concerned ( he's a worse worrier than me ???).

 

[blueangel371115]

Agreed. Don't bring your books. Don't bring your TV. Don't bring your dog. Visitors don't behave this way.

Sounds like you managed to cross with a car full of stuff a few years ago. Assume you got very lucky. I definitely wouldn't try this again.

Actually, I've only brought a small bag of clothes. I've bought some here already. So only minimal stuff has crossed, about enough for a two week vacation. I am extra careful. I don't drive so my parents have brought me and they just turn around and leave after. As yet, CBSA haven't bat an eye at that. My folks recognize aome of the officers, they have crossed so much.

 

[amikety]

Luckily for me, our furniture is already IN Canada ( my fiance has just about everything). The 'visiting' declaration is easy, as I have entered and left Canada many times. I could just bring both my AOR/sponsor approval or the reciept AND my student permit or at least a letter from school. I am worried though, as I'm going through Ottawa and files aren't moving quickly after Buffalo ( things my be different by December, fingers crossed). Could I have an AOR yet? I at least get the reciept right off, right? Sorry for all the questions here. I am still new to all this. Not a dunce, honest? My fiance just is a tad concerned ( he's a worse worrier than me ???).

People that applied for PR visa in the beginning of January are already getting AOR. The spreadsheet is in my signature if you want to take a look.

Either way, the receipt is usually good proof. $1040 is a significant amount to put down for most people.

 

[blueangel371115]

People that applied for PR visa in the beginning of January are already getting AOR. The spreadsheet is in my signature if you want to take a look.

Either way, the receipt is usually good proof. $1040 is a significant amount to put down for most people.

True, true. You are a godsend and a wealth of info. Amikety, you are a saint.

 

[amikety]

True, true. You are a godsend and a wealth of info. Amikety, you are a saint.

Haha, thanks. I always thought of myself as verbose noob

 

[blueangel371115]

lol.